The American Revolution

By July 1776, 28 “battles” had been fought in the

American Revolution By 1777, men who enlisted had to sign up for 3

years of for the duration By April 1777, Congress approved voluntary

conscription and by 1778 most states instituted a draft

Early 1778 New England states allowed Blacks to enlist, making 5% of Continental Army

After 1777, most soldiers were young, poor, single and propertyless

July 1776-Declaring Independence?

100,000 men served in Continental Army,

twice that # were militiamen-serving for 90 days or less to protect home and heartland

Victory at Trenton on December 26, 1776-surprise attack on German Hessians, solidifying Washington a much-needed victory

Saratoga and Ben Franklin-France, France and France! France was happy to assist the enemy of their enemy! (and Spain too)

How did America win?

British failed to turn advantages (esp. in the South) to

victory Yorktown-British Gen. Cornwallis retreated to VA

peninsula, Washington rushed his forces there, the French blocked potential naval retreat and these rivalries helped to secure American independence (more Frenchmen than Americans were involved with defeat at Yorktown)

Cornwallis surrendered his 8000 men and when news reached England, the public support was gone and peace negotiations began

-Why peace so quickly?

How did America win?

Treaty of Paris, September 1783, Ben Franklin,

John Jay and John Adams achieved one of the greatest diplomatic triumphs in history!

What did we get?

Peace?

First independent nation in Western

hemisphere! What about Canada? Rebuffed calls to join in

the war, remained part of GB West Indies: remained under British control,

too fearful of slave uprising Proclamation Line of 1763:

Aftermath?